James Gray: Dominated by the viaduct of the Kemp Town Railway, these three photographs were taken on 21 October 1973. Melbourne Street was crossed by two bridges, the street being older than the railway. With the decision to clear the viaduct, the more easterly brick arch was speedily removed. The steel girder, topped by wood, which incidentally was the final stage of the viaduct, when built in 1869, was still standing. jgc_28_036
2018: The area covered by the pier of the viaduct was used after its demolition initially as Frank Wright’s Builders Merchants yard before this was replaced by a block of flats.
James Gray: See caption for jgc_26_036 above. jgc_26_037
2018: The Kemp Town railway viaduct was demolished in 1976. The northern pillar was eventually replaced with a retail unit and the more southerly with, in turn, a builders merchant’s yard and then a block of flats. Frank Wright & Son were taken over by the Covers Group and moved to the Home Farm Business Centre. The site is now occupied by an estate agents. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)
James Gray: See caption for jgc_28_036 above. In this view, the small houses with gardens were the original California Cottages, while those opposite date from the coming of the railway. jgc_28_038
2018: With the exception of the railway viaduct pillar to the left of the picture being replaced by a modern block of flats, the scene remains remarkably unchanged. (Photographer: Ron Fitton)